After lots and lots of help in the which camera to buy section (thank yous especially mtclimber and shoturtle), I've decided my first dslr is going to be the a500.

My husband had done some research for me (he was going to surprise me but I saw his help thread on here), and when I told him I had decided on the 500, he asked if I had considered the 560 (he wants video).

I did look at the specs. Video isn't as important to me. What I found appealing was the Hand Held Twilight mode. I see that this mode has been available in some of their P&S models. I guess my question would be (and I know answers would be limited because it hasn't come out yet), do you think it's worth the extra $200 (I saw the 500 today for 479 in the sony style retail store) for the 560 if I'm mostly considering this feature?

I take pictures of my kids mostly, indoor, outdoor, good light, bad light, little league sports (indoor and outdoors).

I'm a bit on the fence about it, (and I know it's a bit early since there is still a month before the 560 is released, but I thought I'd throw it out there).

The 560 does have some nice features the 500 do not have like mirror lock up, and live preview.

But you will be paying full price for it, as it will be new. Image quality wise they look to be very close. I would consider the A550 over the A500, you get a tilt screen. Which will be nice as lcd shooting is important to you. But with your liveview requirements sony is the best live option for a dslr.

Video is nice to have, because it means when you do not pack a camcorder with you, you still can take some video clips.

The "Hand Held Twilight" involves taking 10 photos in rapid succession and using them to assemble a single sharp, properly exposed image. If there's any kind of motion at all in the scene, it won't work. So, for what you have in mind, I don't think you'll find it very useful. Also, remember that video with a dSLR, even the Sony A560 will be tough to do well. A Camcorder or P&S will do a much better job. I'd spend the extra $200 on a 35/1.8 or 50/1.8.

Shoturtle, thanks for the link. I agree that IQ doesn't seem to vary much (I couldn't see a difference, but I'm not a huge pixel peeper). Frye's told me that they would have the 560 for 650 when they got it in, but at 469 on BH w/free shipping, that seems like a really good deal.

TCav, Thanks for the info on the HHT mode. Yeah, that doesn't sound like it would work for what I'll typically be shooting. I thought it might come in handy for the occasional night scene (like when we go to Vegas), but these events don't really come up all that often. I think I'd rather invest in another lens or an external flash.

Now that I finally made up my mind on what to get, I have to wait 5-7 bus days till my bank sends me a new debit card, lol. Oh well, now I get to figure out what accessories I'm going to need. I'm getting rather impatient, I can't wait till I get my new camera!